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My Boy Is In Ballet.. That's Right, I Said MY BOY!!
- Aug 13, 2009 at 7:47 PM
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- Comments (16) Total Views (572) Everyone can see this journal post.
The parentals and I went to Starbucks this morning. Shh.. don't tell anyone, lol.. I'm supposed to be on a frapuccino free diet, but oh well. These get-together's don't happen often. After their usual talk, which can sometimes feel like an interrogation, I let them know that their grandson, Cash, was into dancing. And I'm talking about full out dancing ranging from ballroom to break dancing. Cash could literally watch dance videos all day long and be happy as can be. He even tries to copy the moves that he sees on tv. They thought it was cute- until..
(Shark music in the backgroud) LOL.
I told them that I was planning on taking him to a ballet class, just to see how he'd react- and they totally freaked out! Well, they didn't really freak out- like aaaggghhh!! Scream in the coffee shop- kinda freak out- it was more their faces. Their expressions resembled that of a person who had diarrhea and couldn't quite make it to the bathroom. It was quite entertaining, until.. they teamed up.
I heard everything from,"He's a boy, you're going to make him gay, his friends will laugh at him, you can't do that to him, what does Brad say, is this a joke, you can't afford it, you're not going to do it", to- "Don't you love your son?"
First off- I'm a firm believer that children are born gay- and there's nothing wrong with that, I'd still love my son regardless. Second off- I don't get it. Why is it such a big deal? I said I was going to take him to ballet classes which doesn't mean that he's going to like them! Actually, how is he even going to give it a chance when people are going to make fun of him for it from the get-go. Especially his own family.. ugh!
So after all this, I come home and clued my hubby in. To my shock- he agreed with my parents!! The nerve!! He said the exact same things they did and I couldn't believe what I was hearing. He tried to make me feel better by reassuring me that Cash was going to be in karate and football- which only made me even more upset.
I've always thought that men who were in more of a female categorized sport were smart. Sure, I'm not going to lie- there are some gay men in female categorized sports, BUT there's gay men in every sport, they just don't always tell people. If you really think about it- the straight men are hitting the jackpot! If my son were to be the only boy in dance class, think of how many girls he'd get to know. Oooh la la, lol. What about cheerleading? He'd be able to look up their skirts while they were in the air (not that I would condone that). So what's the big freaking deal?
My son is going to give it a chance because I'm going to encourage him. It could even stay a secret between him and I. I just want him to do what he loves! I refuse to let my child be infected with the video game epidemic. =)
I found a list of things that will help us through all this and I plan to follow them
Your son may be truly talented as a dancer. Encourage him to try several styles of dance to find out what he really loves.
Take him to see professional male dancers on stage or rent movies with men in dancing roles. Show him that men really do dance, and they dance well.
Remind your son that dancing is a physical sport that requires lots of strength.
If your son suddenly begins to struggle with peer pressure, allow him the freedom to try something else. If he truly wants to be a dancer, he will find his way back as he matures..
Comments:
Thank you!!! Ballet is a GREAT way for kids to prepare before going on to other sports. Like football and basketball. Why don't people realize that?
So You Think You Can Dance starts back up this fall on FOX.. It's helping to break up the "gay male dancer" stereotype..
You can youtube past performances. Some of the male dancers are AMAZING!
(AAAAND Chicks dig a guy that has rhythm! lol)
As the mom of a little girl who is in Ballet I say YOU GO GIRL! Stick to your guns on this one. The dance school we are at has boys in the hip hop and jazz groups and guess what? One of the requirements for competitions is that ALL Dancers take ballet Technique classes. There is nothing wrong with encouraging your child in something they love, if my daughter wanted to play football then she would play with me fully supporting her.
My oldest son went through a phase of loving dance and he went to dance class (it lasted about a month) then he got sidetracked and found another fixation, but he isn't damaged and i am pretty sure he isn't gay. He is a healthy 11 y/o who plays goalie on the soccer team and turns beet red around girls :)
I agree with crazymom5480 about the sports thing. Tons of NFL players take Ballet classes so they are more nimble on their feet.
It isn't what you do that makes you gay or straight it is who you do. lol.
if i ever have a little boy, he will be doing ballet. I'm putting DD into ballet next year.But she will also do sports in the future(if she has an interest). If i had a boy, he would get the same oppurtunities as my DD.
Ballet does NOT make you gay. I say go for it!
Ballet can help him out with any dance classes he may take in the future. Even the more *manly* dances, like hip hop. It can probably even help him out with future sports and even *gasp* karate!
Ballet is great if your son wants to do it. Even if he doesn't stick with it, it will teach him balance and dicipline and muscle control that he would need for karate or football or anything like that.
Both my Brothers took ballet. Let me tell you something- it certainly isn't going to turn them 'gay'. Heck your boy probably WANTS to be the only 'man' in a room full of girls who are running around in tights and leotards. My brothers certainly enjoyed it :D
It will be a great expirience for him and it's not like you are going to FORCE him to do it when he's 16. I say go For it, and let your DH know that it'll be the best thing for your little man!
Oh and to be clear- your DS isn't going to be running around in a tutu and pink tights. Men have their own apparel.
Ballet is awesome for boys! A professor I had teaches the local ballet classes here. Our entire college football team takes classes to help with their coordination. I would love for my son to join, but he isn't interested in dance.
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My son took ballet, tap, and acrobats last year. He loved it! It is a great background to have for football, boxing, and many other sports. I don't know if he's going to take again this year. Too many people said he looked cute in his costume for the recital, so for now he says he doesn't want to. If he changes his mind, he will be right back in the dance studio.
- CrazyMom5480
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